President Trump repeatedly stated his intention on the campaign trail to re-open all federal lands and waterways for leasing to coal and natural gas producers. The resumption of coal and natural gas drilling on federal lands could be disastrous for the climate. It is estimated that almost 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are already produced on federal land. One of the primary selling points of a move back toward fossil fuel production has been the promise of thousands of new jobs in the energy sector, however hiring in the fossil fuel industry has declined significantly (8%). This was primarily attributed to a 58% decline in oil prices since 2014 and not the suspension of leases for energy exploration by the Obama administration. At the same time employment in the renewable energy sector has surged 123% since 2010 and now accounts for more total jobs than extraction of fossil fuels in the United States.

In signing the historic Paris accords last year, a clear majority of the industrialized world pledged to combat the rising threat of climate change through the transition to an economical model fueled by renewable energy. The largest coal emitter in the world, China, has already cancelled plans for the construction of 103 additional plants. Germany currently generates over 40% of its energy from renewable sources and has set a target of reaching 80% by 2050. Like the United States these are both industrial powers with significant historical employment in the fossil fuel sector.

We cannot afford to break with the rest of the world and move back towards a fossil fuel dominated economy. Please sign the below petition demanding that President Trump continue to safeguard public lands from fossil fuel exploration and honor the United States commitment to combat global climate change.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Trump,

You have stated an intention to re-open federal lands and waterways for fossil fuel exploration. This would likely not achieve a significant increase in the number of jobs created, but would contribute to the worsening impact of climate change.

The United States committed, along with the rest of the industrialized world through the Paris accord, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Countries such as China and Germany are already taking the lead in their reduction commitments and support of renewable energy resources. Your stated goal throughout the presidential campaign was to “Make America Great Again,” and we simply cannot afford to lag behind the rest of the world in continuing to develop our own renewable energy economy if that aspiration is to be achieved by 2020.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Bob Wick

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